In what can be called symbolic of it’s “neighbourhood first” policy, India has offered to link its growth story with southern neighbour Sri Lanka, Indian media reports.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said this during a meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during his visit to New Delhi on July 4-5, it is reliably learnt.

According to sources, discussions between Sushma Swaraj and Samarawickrama focussed on the “neighbourhood first” policy of India.

Sushma Swaraj also emphasised on the urgency of finding a permanent solution to the fishermen issue, recommended by the Joint Commission Meeting in February this year.

On Wednesday, Sri Lanka arrested 17 Indian fishermen for fishing in its maritime territories.

The sources said both sides agreed that a meeting between the fishery ministries of the two countries should be held at the earliest.